At least three killed as soldiers and policemen rampage in streets of Lagos

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

LAGOS-- At least three people were killed when soldiers and police exchanged live fire in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, on Tuesday, as an incident between a police officer and a soldier degenerated into a wild free-for-all.

Police and soldiers traded fire across the city's main artery and cars and offices were torched in one of the worst clashes between police and soldiers in recent years.

The battle broke out when reports that a policeman had beaten up an army private sent more than 200 angry soldiers marching onto the streets to stage a reprisal attack.

The troops from the Abalti Barracks in the Surulere district of Lagos marched 500 metres to the area command office on Western Avenue, where they set a building ablaze after freeing detained criminals, witnesses said.